Chris Froome's manager Dave Brailsford explained it was extremely important to hold the yellow jersey in the cobbles stage because it meant the Team Sky car would be in the front of the team cars line to help its leader in case of trouble. 

"It means we're car number one. For that point of view it's perfect (to have the yellow jersey). Tomorrow is going to be a nervous stage, you try to stay in the race and use a bit of energy, but we're willing to spend a gamble of it to get through this", Brailsford said. "If you ride on the front because you've got the (yellow) jersey it kind of helps you, you're not pushing someone out of the way you're there because you're leading the race."

Froome crashed out of the Tour last year in the fifth stage, which also featured cobbles, before reaching the first cobbled section. "I don't think you should read too much from this stage, it's early, it's nice to be in front but it's a bit like scoring a goal in football", he said. "Then you're really vulnerable for five minutes afterwards. I'd say we are pretty vulnerable now. It will be my message to the team."